Grain distributor



Nov. 28, 1950 R. l. PATTERSON 2,531,526

GRAIN DISTRIBUTOR Filed Dec. 10, 1945 5 Sheets-Sheet l 39 74 avg INVENTOR Y lj af/enson I ATTORiY Nov. 28, 1950 Filed Dec.

R. l. PATTERSON GRAIN DISTRIBUTOR 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR fioY IP ffeFJOn WWW 1 R. l. PATTERSON 2,531,526

GRAIN DISTRIBUTOR Filed Dec. 10, 1945 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR FloY I R'f/erson TT NEY Nov. 28, 1950 1, PATTERSON 2,531,526

GRAIN DISTRIBUTOR Filed Dec. 10, 1945 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR fiov [Puffcrson Patented Nov. 28, 1950 UNITED STATES OFFICE 2,531,526 seam nismietro Boy I. Patterson, Minneapolis; Minii.

Application December 10, 1945, Serial No.634,02.(i

invention relates to grain distributors and has for its object to provide, in combination of one or a plurality of leg spouts running from the elevating ,leg or legs of an elevator, novel and highly efficient means of transferring grain from said leg spouts to any selected one of a large number of outlet members discharging respectively into bin spouts leading to a corresponding number of bins in the elevator, not shown.

Efforts heretofore made to provide a distributor of the type covered herein by my invention, wherein the transfer delivery spout is rotated about a vertical axis, have not proved successful because of the tendency to clog and difficulties in effecting rotation and adjustment, of the discharge end of the distributor spout to the receiving ends of the bin spouts. There also has been grave difficulty with this type of distributor because when a bin would become filled the distributor ducts would in turn be filled up clear back into the head of the leg and great difficulty, loss of time and spillage of grain would result from attempts to clear the same.

I have discovered a way of mounting the rotating'distributor spout in relation to a novel shoe or outlet member such that the adjustment of the transfer spout or spouts, whether '1, 2, or 3 many number of such spouts areemployed, may be easily effected with absolute certainty and with no danger of clogging. Further, that if the bin becomes filled and tends to back up to the distributor itself the excess grain will 31111011131131? cally be transferred tothe loading point at the bottom of the leg elevator boot.

-I further discovered that it is practical and produces exceptionally satisfactory results to build the cylinder in two sections, the lower sectionsupported from the upper section and having the adjacent edges spaced apart to leave an open annular portion; and to mount removably in said open annular portion a surrounding set of outlet members which are held in position by drawing together the edges of said cylinder sections and which thus may readily be removed at anytime for replacement and repair.

It is an object of my invention, therefore, to provide a circular distributor cylinder having a central transfer pipe and a surrounding annular transfer pipe or pipes, all provided with discharge openings facing an elongated boot or outlet mem ber such that grain from one or more of said transfer pipes will go certainly and without spillage into the outlet-member and thence into the bin spouts.

l It -isa further important object of my inven- 8 Claims. (C1. "HE-F23 tion to form the distributor cylinder intwo sec tions and to secure them together, with an annularspace between the adjacent edges, by means of outer rods so that said annular space may be varied in width and may receive and removably hold allthe outlet members employed in my device.

It is a further object of my invention to mount the one or more transfer spouts in the casing so that it or they may be uniformly and easily rotated with connections for rotating them located at a distance from the receiving member and with means for certainly and iixedly locking the rotated members in position to discharge grain to a selected spout.

It is a further objectofgmy invention to provide means in the casingfor elimination of air pressure by permitting exhaust of air iromthe .enclosing casing said exhaust air carrying dust and fine matter entering the casing with the grain and discharging it outside of the building.

It is a further object, of my invention to provide in combination with my distributing device m ans for receiving overflow from any bin spout when the bin hasbecome filled and collecting it and returning it tothe point ,of initial elevation.

Further objects of my invention are to pro,- vide a member whereinthe parts may be readily removed for repair or replacement, which is light and inexpensiveto ibuild and which may readily be installed in any elevator.

port for the parts thereof.

Fig. 2 is a sectional elevation view talgen on line 2-2 of Fig. 1 except that the showing oi outlet members has been eliminated to show more clearly the space between adjacent edges of the parts of the distributor cylinder.

'Fig. 3 is a sectional plan View taken on line 3--3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged detairof the means of locking the rota-tingjfpart or parts in fixed position.

Fig. 5'-is a longitudinal sectional V i W of adevice embodying my invention with only one spouttherein.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged semi-plan view talgen on line Fri- 6 oi Fig'fi,

Fig. '7 is a sectional elevation view showingmy invention as applied to three dischargespouts.

e- "8 i an ar ed .d iai yiew Qfthe manner f uppor tor th rqtatinamenibers Fig. 9 is a schematic drawing showing some parts in section and particularly showing the means for rotating the transfer spout members and for locking the parts in operative position.

Fig. 10 is an enlarged sectional elevation view on line Ifli5 of Fig. 1, but showing only a fragmentary part of the upper portion of the distributor.

Fig. 11 is an enlarged detail view showing the manner of adjustably mounting the roller for supporting the rotating spout member.

Fig. 12 is a top plan view of a quarter of the distributor shown in Fig. 7.

As illustrated, my invention comprises an upper cylindrical casing I2 which is closed at its upper end by a top plate l3 having apertures therein as will be later pointed'out.

The cylinder 62 is supported within a rectangular frame [4, Fig. 1, embodying side rails I5, l6, l7 and [8 which are riveted to the cylinder at their central points as indicated at [9, 20, 2| and 22. The several members [5, I5, H and 18 are integrally united at their respective corner junctions either by being formed of a single band of material, by welding or in any suitable way to make this rectangle a rigidly inter-connected integral member.

The upper ends of angle iron supports 23 and 26 are rigidly secured by welding or other means to the transverse frame member 15, and the upper ends of angle irons 2t and 25 are integrally united with the transverse frame bar ll, all as shown in Fig. 1. The lower ends of members 23, 2 4, 25 and 26 are secured by welding or otherwise to four plates 21, 28, 29 and which are shown in Fig. 3 secured to the floor, indicated at SI, of any room as in the loft of an elevator, grain receiving room, packing room and the like. This securing is effected by screws 32 in a customary manner.

By this means the cylinder 52 and all parts carried thereby or connected thereto are supported upon the floor of the elevator loft at a suitable distance from the upper floor level.

Across the top of the cylinder 12, as shown in Fig. l, are secured two sets of bars or transverse structures 33 and 34 and 35 and 35 respectively. These members have flanges riveted to the cylinder [2 as indicated at 3? in Fig. 1 and are set together at their crossing points and firmly united at these crossing points indicated as 38 so as to form a firm transverse supporting framework.

A brace member 39 extends between struts 33 and 35. Another brace member 423 extends between struts 34 and 35. A brace member ll extends between struts 38 and 35 and a brace member d2 extends between struts 33 and All these parts are held rigidly united together to form a strong and rigid transverse supporting framework, as clearly shown in Fig. 1.

A lower cylinder l2a, of the same diameter but spaced from cylinder l2, has its bottom open and .is surrounded by an annular strengthening member 63. United as by welding or other means at the bottom edge of cylinder 52a is a supporting ring as, Fig. 2. This ring will preferably be made of iron rod of a suitable diameter formed into a circular ring.

A. hopper 35 having a central outlet .6, of customary cone shape, is provided with a ring 61 similar to ring M, which ring i"! is attached to the upper part of the hopper at a point slightly removed from its upper edge 48, as indicated at 49 in Fig. 2. The ring 4? is both a strengthening and a supporting member for holding the hopper for ready removal from the distributor.

Thumb screws 50 threaded through the wall of cylinder l2a are adapted to engage substantially the outer edge of hopper 45 to position it relative to its axial center, while the supporting ring 5'? engages supporting ring 44 and holds the hopper in fixed operative position. To remove the hopper it is only necessary to loosen screws 50 and compress the upper edge of the hopper and the supporting ring 4'! slightly, whereupon, by tipping the hopper at an angle, it may readily be removed. The purpose and use of this hopper will be hereinafter given.

The cylinders 12 and I2a are operatively a complete cylinder from the top l3 to the bottom support at the supporting ring 44, even though in effect divided into two parts. The lower part, as in Figs. 2 and 5, is designated Ma, and as in Fig. '7, I21). These two cylinder parts have the lower edge 5| of cylinder l2 separated from the upper edge 52 of cylinder 12a or [22). This space is well shown in Fig. 2 indicated by the numeral 53, since in Fig. 2 the intervening outlet members have not been shown.

Fig. 2 in conjunction with Fig. 1, shows how these portions of the cylinder l2 and l2a are adjustably supported for receiving and supporting the outlet hoppers. The support is made by four rods 54, 55, 56 and 51, the ends of which are shown in Fig. 1. While I have shown four rods, it will be understood that a greater or less number of rods may be employed, according to the size of the entire distributor and the use to which it is to be put.

Each of these rods is threaded at its upper end and extends through an opening in a casting 58, which. has an extension 59 rigidly secured by welding or otherwise to the walls of cylinder l2. This casting and the manner of securing the same, being the same for each of the rods 54, 55, 5B and 5?, will not be further described excepting to point out that they are relatively long in extent and have a long opening indicated in dotted lines at 68 on Fig. 2, which receives the several rods 54, 55, 56 and 51, respectively, and holds them in rigid alignment parallel with the walls of the cylinder 12.

The lower ends of each of these rods pass through a casting 5| which has an extension 62 rigidly connected with the wall of the cylinder iZa (or i212). This casting also is provided with a long opening indicated in dotted lines at 53 for receiving the rods 54, 55, 56 and 51, respectively. The lower ends of these rods are shown threaded, with a nut 54 thereon, but it is not necessary to have a nut applied to the lower ends of the rods, as they may have an ordinary bolt head or even be welded into position on the cylinder portion 52.

The upper ends of the rods 54, 55, 55 and 51 are ihreaded and have applied to the threaded ends thereof, above the respective castings 58, a nut 65. It is obvious that by turning the nuts 55 the cylinder section l2a, or I2b, may be drawn up to narrow the space 53 between edge 5| of cylinder l2 and edge 52 of cylinder 52a. Within this space are mounted the several outlet members designated generally, in the form of the invention of Figs; 2, 5 and 6, by the numerals 56 and 55'. Each of these members comprises parallel side Walls 5? and 58, a short sloping bottom wall 59 and a long sloping top wall Hi, all leading to an elongated discharge opening 7 I.

As shown in Fig. 5, the upper edge of the top wall of outlet member 66 is turned at an angle to produce a flange 12 which is curved and ateame adapted to he againstthe inner surface or-the lower part of cylinder l2. The short sloping edge 52 of lower cylinder 12a and bringing the upper flange T2 against the inner wall of cylinder I2. Markers 'ILLFig. 6-, may be employed properly to position the long opening '15 of the outlet hopper 6 6 in this space to receive discharge as later pointed out.

The several outlet members 66 (and 66" and H) are so proportioned that when a full complement thereof have been positioned in the annular space 53 they will completely fill that space and form a circle of outlet in'einbers contacting the edge portions bounding the annular space 53.

In'fthe form of the invention here shown in Figs. 1 and 2 there will be sixteenof said outlets, but obviously a greater or less number of outlet members may be employed, 'as in thesimpler -form of Fig. 5, where there will be only 8 or 10 outlet members.

At the points where the inner edges of side walls Bl andliii' of the members engage'they'will be fastened together by bolts 16, as indicated'in Fig.6. Two bolts areshown in the form of Fig. 5, while three bolts are sho'wn in the form of Fig. 2 and four bolts in the form of Fig. 9. But it will be'clear that a sufficient and not excessive number of 1 bolts may always be employed.

In the form shown in Fig. 5, for a single distributor transfer spout the flange 12 will extend directly from the edge of top wall HI. In -larger forms such as shownin Figs. 2 and 7 thefi'ang'e 12 will exteri'dat right angles to an extension TI turned inwardly from the upper edge of top wall 73.

When the entire circle of outletn'iembers have been positionedabout thespace '53 between edges 5'! and 52 of the upper a'nd lowercylinder members l2 and Ila, the entire assemblage will be locked together by turning down on nuts 55 of bolts 5 l, 56 and 5?, oran nurnber of such bolts which maybe-used. This bringsthese edges in firmclainping engagement with the upper and lower respective walls of the outlet members and firmly locks the entire assemblage in position thereoni Taking up the simplest form of distributor shown in Fig. 5, where a singledist'ributor transfer spoutis'used, an opening 781s formed :atthe center of the top inember I3-and' is provided with a cylindrical downwardly turned extension 19. This opening through downwardly turned extension E9 will receive the end ofdischarge'spout 3!] from an elevator leg, thus being adapted to have the stream of grain lifted by the elevator le'g discharged from the spout 89 and through the extension l9.

A spout member '3 l ais shown an open-topped spout member, is provided'withacylindrical portionti. "which extends freely and loosely about theextension 19 from legspout 89. The bottom wall 82 of spout this extended-angularly, as indicated in'Fig. 5 to'its' discharge openin'gat 83, which cornes directlyopposite anopening of an outlet member 6 6. The opening 83 is, however; presented "to theupp'er part of opening I5, and the bottom "820f spout 8| is out 'away'at 34 for a purpose later'tobe' described.

Vertical shaft is provided at'itsupper end with aplate 88 which is secured by welding, riv'eting ori-n any suitable manner to the bottom 82 of spout 81, thus being made a rigid attachment thereto. The shaft -85"will preferably be a tube or pipe. The lowerend thereof, 'asshown in Fig. 8, isprovided with a pin 86 which extends into the interior of the tube Ionnedbyshaft B5 and is riveted thereto, asindica'ted at 8'1.

Fast on the pin 86 and adapted toro'tatewith it and with shaft 85 is the upper part 88 of a thrust ball bearing, the lower part 89 of-Which issupported upon -a circular ibase indicated at 9%) and9l. This "circular base is secured'to andsupported upon a spider made up of radiating bars 92, Fig. 3. The shaft 85 and the spout 8| connected thereto is, therefore, free to rotate' freely about a vertical axis which is supported by thrust bearing '88, 89 and cylindrical extension 32 about depending cylindrical "extension 19.

In the form of the invention of Figs. v1 *a'nd'2, there are means for carrying grain from the first indicated'leg discharge spout 88 and also from a second leg discharge spout 93. The discharge spout 89 in this formenters a tubular extension Q similar to extension 19 fheretofore described, excepting that it is much 'longer. The extension however, surrounds the "circular central opening 18 in the top [3. A' transfer spout '38 its providedWith an angular extension 96 which is rotatable aboutpipeii by am'ovable "joint 91.

The bottom Wall lei] of pipe '98 has "secured thereto "by riveting "or otherwise the same *plate 85 at the top of tubular supportingmember 85. In order, however, to brace the lower 'endof pipe 93 (and also of pipe 82) and the other parts carried therewith, a brace rod or bar Nil extends from the tubular shaftmember 85 to the :lower endofpipes 82 andlflll;

Pipe lfld as is true of spout B'Lisprovided with a cut-out portion 84' at its bottom.

The support 'of' the single pipe 398 whiclrconnects with the tubular extension 9'4 into which the leg outlet pipe discharges is thus made directly upon the tubularshatt 85 and rotates upon it as anaxial center to take facing position opposite any selected outlet ho'pperfifi.

The spout 93 discharges into an annular :passa'geway I02, Fig. 2, which has 'a central tubular portion I53 that surrounds the extension 94. Annular passageway H32 has a sloping wall HM which surrounds the pipe 94, was indicated in dotted line's at I f trans runs into anrextension [3-6 of said sloping passageway. 'Thegannular passagew aywz opens at I81 into atrans'ier pipe its having the slop'ing extension I06 as its bottom wall, and having an'opening [69 "which is pre sented to any of the openings 15in any of the outlet members The plan view form oftrans ferspout' I08 is shown-at its in Fig. 9.

In 'theioim of the invention shown infFig; 7 there is a central pipe Hi] which is somewhat longerthan the central "pipe 9:3, andwhiehhas its end surrounded by a cylindrical extension I I at the-end of a sloping-pipe H2 whiehl'ias an opening H3 fronting an elongated opening in in an elongated outlet member 6 it. The pipei i2 hasits floor l8 slopin down to theio er part of opening i it at the face of outlet i it, and said sloping wall H t is cut away indicated at it for a purpose later to be described. There is also an annular passageway IE8 which is formed with a central'tubular opening iitl'wbicl surrounds the'tubular extension I "land which connects with the discharge leg spout The annular passageway H8 has a sloping floor I29 which is joined to the outer walls H8 and the inner wall I19 and is coaxial to the extension III]. The floor I29 extends to a part I2I which is at the bottom of a transfer pipe i22 having an opening I23 facing the opening II4 of the outlet hopper H5. The leg spout 93 discharges into the annular passage H3 through opening I2 3. A third annular transfer passageway I25, Fig. '7, is comprised of a cylindrical casing I26 which forms the outer boundary of the annular transfer passageway H8. The casing I I8 forms the inner boundary of the annular passageway I25 which has its upper edge I2? substantially lower than the upper edge I28 of the cylindrical casing M3, for a reason which will later be given.

The annular transfer passageway I25 has a sloping floor I29 indicated in dotted lines at I33 as extending about the cylindrical casing H8, said floor running into an extension I3I which forms the bottom wall of a discharge transfer spout I32 that has its opening I33 presented to the extended vertical opening H6 of any outlet member IE5, .all as shown very clearly in Fig. 7.

A third leg spout I33 goes through an opening I35 in the top member l3 and discharges into the upper part of the annular passageway I25.

A detail of the support for the annular members I92 and I I8 and the parts carried by them is shown in Fig. and the means of support is also shown in Fig. 1.

At the center of each of the brace rods 39, 4!), 4H and 42 shown in Fig. l, is secured a hanger arm I36. In each case this arm has thereon a threaded pin I3? having secured thereto a hearing I38, shown in dotted lines in Fig. 11.

Upon this bearing I38 is mounted a roller 39. Upon the upper end of the cylinder H3 forming the annular passageway H3, are rigidly affixed a pair of supporting rings It!) and MI spaced apart a distance slightly greater than the diameter of the roller I39, and the rollers I39 come between these rings I49, I4I, as clearly shown in Fig. 10. By this means the annular passageway formed between walls of the concentric cylinders HS and H9 and all the parts connected therewith, including the transverse spout I22, are supported for free rotation from the brace bars 39, 40, 4| and 2.

The position of the roller I39 relative to the channel between the rings Md and I i! may be accurately set by the adjustment provided for, as indicated in Fig. 11. The hangers I35 are -provided with longitudinal slots indicated in dotted lines at I42 of Fig. 11. The threaded bolt I3? passes through that slot and has mounted thereon oppositely threaded nuts I93 and led. By loosening these nuts and sliding them with the threaded stem I3? up or down, the vertical position of the roller I33 may be satisfactorily adjusted, and by releasing one and screwing up on the other of nuts P33 and I94 the roller may be drawn in or out and adjusted horizontally so as to take a perfect position between the rings I35 and MI.

The central transfer pi es I63 and Iii: are thus all directly supported upon the tubular shaft 85. Such a support is not practical or available for the annular transfer pipes IE8 and I since they must rotate about the respective extensions I9, 94 and H9. To hold them for such rotation, the parts of annular transfer pipes H8 are supported by rollers I39 on hanger arms I36, which 8 hanger arms are secured to the respective brace bars 39, 49, M and 42.

The annular transfer passageway I25 has its upper edge I21 located to pass below the hangers I36 and rollers I39 carried thereby so that it may rotate freely under them. It is supported by hangers I42 extending from cross bars I63 across the corners of frame members I5, I3, I1 and I8, which arrangement of cross-bars is expanded in size to take care of the larger sized three-transfer-pipe distributor as a Whole, as shown in Fig. 12.

The rollers I39 are held in an annular groove formed on the outside of wall I26 of annular passageway I25 by means of rings I44 and I45, Fig. '7, which are rigidly attached to the outside of wall I23 in the same manner that rings I40 and MI are correspondingly attached to the outer surface of wall II8.

Since the various transfer spouts are all subject to rotation, it is necessary to find means for locking them in any of their selected positions. Not only should the several transfer spouts be locked in proper delivering position facing an outlet hopper, but where a plurality of said spouts are employed, under the principle of my invention, they should be capable of being locked either one, several or all to discharge into one outlet spout; I accomplish this in the following manner.

For the center transfer spout I provide a drum M6, Figs. 2 and 7, supported at the center of radius bars 92, and having therein a suitable number of holes I4"! cooperating with a catch rod Hi8, Fig. 2, which extends through the arms of a U-piece support I49 fast on the frame and which is pressed inwardly by compression spring I59 operating between a plate I5I on the rod I48 and a U-arm I52 on the U-piece I49.

Connected with an eye piece I52 on the rod I48 is a cord I54 which goes through casing I2 and is adapted to be extended over a pulley I55 supported on the outer side of easing I2a and over another pulley or pulleys I56 to a foot pedal I51 located at a convenient point on a floor I58,

Fig. 9.

The drum I46 is formed with a suitable annular guideway I59 over or about which runs a cord I69. Parts of the opposite ends of this cord run over pulleys I9I and IE2 on the outside of casing wall I2, thence over one or more pulleys I53 and I64 to and over a pulley wheel I35, Fig. 9, which has a scale on the face of it, as shown, the perimeter of the scale cooperating with a pointer I36.

In operation the wheel I65 and the scale thereon are turned to bring the pointer I59 opposite any numeral, as the numeral 4 on said scale. The central spout member will then have its opening presented to the opening I5 of outlet hopper 63 corresponding to the numeral 4/ By this means an operator who has pressed down on foot pedal I5? will release the central transfer spout for rotation. Then by rotating it he will bring it to discharge into the outlet hopper leading to a selected bin spout, after which, by releasing the rod I48, with very slight manipulation it can be made to lock the transfer spout in the selected position.

Similarly the annular transfer spout I92 (or i I3) and I25 may be operated in the same manner. Thus for IE2, as shown in Fig. 2, locking holes I61 are formed in the upper portion of the Wall I I8. A detent IE8 is supported by av U-piece I69 with a spring I10 tending to force the deassume temtlthrough: the holes iii-"land a cord HI. running over pulleys I12, thencarried over suitable intervening pulleys to a foot lever similar to foot lever I 51'.

An annular guideway is formed by a ring I13 fast on the outside of cylinder wall H8 and spaced from ring" M l, Figs. 2 and 7, in which guideway' runs a. cord I'll which is carried by a. pulley arrangement similar to that shown in Fig: 9 to an operating wheel similar to wheel [.65 by means of which the transfer spout Ill? (or ll'8') may be-positionedand locked in position to deliver toa selected one of. the outlet hoppers 66, in the same manner as shown in Fig.1.

Openings/H5 are formed. inthe outer wall of cylinder H6 and are 'enteredbyarod; I 16 supported in a .upiece H1 and controlled by a spring 118 with a cord I19" running over a: pulley 1 80,. which, through appropriate intervening pulleys, runs to a wheel. similar to wheel 1&5, whereby the outer transfer spout l25,.when.properly positioned by wheel like I65, may be locked to deliver to any selected outletshoe.

In every form of my device-that is with any number of outlet members operative therein-- there will always. be formed in the top i3 an air outlet opening connected. with. a spoutsuch as shown at IBI in. Figs. 2 and 5. This has an important function not found in other distributors.

It isusually, or at least often, true that grain or other material islfed from. the leg spout into the distributor chamber under or accompanied by considerable air pressure. The distributor chamber itself has been inthepast sealed airtight. or substantially airtight, a-nclthe bins which receive the. grain. and. the bin spouts" as connected with the. transfer spouts in the distributor have also been. scaled airtight.

It follows that as. the. grain or other material is transferred. to the bin, air therein is displaced in bulk equal to thegrain or other material being. stored in the bin. Necessarily the air backs up through the binspout intothe distributor chamber. This builds up a. pressure within the distributor chamber The. air under pressure usually escapes through small leaks in the system carrying with. it. fine dust. which goes. into the cupola and elevator loft and. elsewhere and may create a serious. fire hazard Also this air pressure in the distributor chamber may back up intothe air leg and. affect ad versely the delivery of grain. tosuch. an extent as to produce clogging of the system.

The opening l8l not only relieves the air pressure in the distributor chamber by permitting the displaced air to flow out, but that air carries with it fine dust and otherfine material which it is desirable to eliminate from the stored grain. This gives the important additional functions of efiecting a degree of grain cleaning and of keeping'dust from the cupol'a and. other parts of the elevator, and thuselimina'ting the resulting fire hazard.

In connection with'this feature of my invention there is very great value. where an opentopped transfer spout i'semployed, such as transfer spout 82 of Fig". 5. When the material being distributed is a product such as ground feed, this does not flow freely and usually requires some degree of. air pressure back. of it,and the-relief of this airpressure aswell. as that produced displaced air from .the bina-nd removal of very fi'ne dust with the air, not only facilities 10 the operation of moving the feed to an appropriate bin, but tends to clean out undesirable detritus and dust that otherwise would go to the bins with the grain or feed.

In the invention as shown in Fig. 5, the opentopped spout 82 discharges to a single outlet member 66. Likewise, as shown in Fig. 2, the two transfer spouts 98 and IE1? discharge one above the other into a somewhat larger outlet member 66, and in Fig. 'l' the outletspouts H2, lrt8= and 525 all discharge one above the other into the long outlet member H5. 5

Fig. 9 illustrates the position for discharge of central outlet spout. I00 into one member while annular outlet spout 108 is positioned for discharge into another'outlet member 66'; and, as heretofore stated, no matter how many transfer spouts there may be (the centralspout and surrounding annular spouts), as for example three such spouts shown in Fig. 7, they all may discharge into aselected outlet-member, and each at the same time may discharge into separated selected outlet members.

The several outletmembers 6B and 65' shown in Figs. 2, 5 and 6, and. H5 shown in. Fig. '7, are connected with bin spouts 182, as shown in full and dotted lines inFig. 2. These bin spouts are removably supported by means of a latch [83 pivoted thereto at HM and. going over a catch M5.

When it is desired to remove one or more outletmembers for repair or for other reasons the bin spout L82 is unlatched and pulled down slightly, the nuts. 65 are turned to drop the lower cylinder l.-2a,.the bolts-l6 are removed which hold the outlet. member being taken out to theadjacent outlet members; whereupon the outlet member may be lifted by shifting to the dotted line position of Fig. 2 and readily withdrawn.

In taking out one or more of the outlet membars, in orderto removethe screw bolts 76 which secure the sides. of the outlet members together it will. be necessary to remove the conical bottom hopper 45., but, as stated above, this can be accomplished very easily. It thus is asimple matter, which can be accomplished. in. a minute or two, at any time.,. to remove one or more of the outlet members and replace them with. other members. This is an important feature of my invention since these members undergo heavy wear from the impact of the flow of grain against them. and quite frequently have to be removed and replaced.

It frequently happens that when grain hasbeen discharged through a distributor from the bin spout to. a binin the elevator, the bin may fill up before the operator realizes it. When that has occurred with other graindistributors, the grain backs up in the bin spout and ultimately fills the distributor chamber and even backs up the leg spout and usually produces a great deal of spillage, andalways this has caused much expense and loss of time to remedy the clogging of the distributor system.

In my construction, when this happens the grain will back up in the bin spout 182 into an outlet memherfifi, 66 01' H5. But immediately it flows fromthe lower part of the outlet member into the conical hopper 45 and through theopening 46 and down the spout I86, Figs. 2' and: '7.

This-spout passes it back to the bottom of the elevator whereloading of the elevator leg istaking place; thus preventing filling of the distributor chamber; clogging of thesystem andspillage of'grain wnich otherwise wouldtake place. For

the grain remaining in the bin'spout. is unimpor tant because it will gravitate into the bin with which it is connected whenever grain has been removed from that bin.

The end of transfer spout bottom 82, Hit or H6 each comes somewhat above the bottom S9 of the outlet member, and the bottoms 82, I90 and I I are each cut away as indicated at 34 and I ll, which gives ample space for grain to flow from the filling outlet member to the hopper 45 and thence back to the loading bin or boot.

The advantages of my invention will sufficiently appear from the foregoing description. These advantages comprise adaptability to operate in connection with one, two, three or more elevator legs, thus greatly increasing the capacity of the distributor; simplicity of arrangement of outlet members so they will be highly efiective to receive grain from the transfer spouts when positioned in respect to any of them, and will be particularly adapted to prevent spillage of grain in the event that a bin and spout become filled; also as to the outlet members the remarkably advantageous facility and ease with which they may be installed and removed; the simple but effective arrangement for rotating the transfer spouts, with the supporting shaft having the central transfer spout supported directly th reby, and each annular transfer spout supported by hangers and rollers. which, having an annular chamber for receiving the leg discharge snout, are always connected therewith without the nece sity of using valves or other shifting means; the pressure relief opening to the distributor chamber which peculiarly adapts the distributor for use when the grain and particularly when feed is delivered against air pressure from displaced air from the bin or from forced air-feeding of the grain; the practical means for rotating each of the transfer spouts independently of the other and of setting them in definitely fixed relation to a selected outlet member; and the feature of col ecting and returning overflow from any filled bin and bin spout to the loading bin or boot.

All these features are in a high degree efficient and u eful in the construction and operation of my grain distributor. These features are of such nature that not only is my distributor remarkably eificient but provides low cost of manufacture and upkeep. This is assured, because both weight and volume or bull: of the distributor is small in proportion to its capacity for serving many outlet members and bin spouts. Further, that small volume enables the distributor to be put in small cunolas, in many elevators a matter of great im ortance.

In small elevators it quite frequently happens that, in order to handle the incoming grain with greater facility, an additional elevator leg or legs will be insta led. Heretofore when this is done in many cases it has been necessary to raise the cupola or even to raise and enlarge it. Another highly important advantage of my invention comes from the fact that, in practically all such instances, by the use of my distributor the additional elevator leg or legs can be installed without raising the cupola or increasing its size.

I claim:

1. A grain distributor, comprising two cylindrical casing members of the same diameter, means adiustably holding the two members with their surfaces coaxial and their adjacent edges suitably spaced apart, and a multiplicity of outlet members removably held between said edges so as to form a complete circumferential series of said outlet members.

2. A grain distributor, comprising two cylindrical casing members of the same diameter, means adjustably holding the two members with their surfaces coaxial and their adjacent edges suitably spaced apart, a multiplicity of outlet members removably held between said edges so as to form a complete circumferential series of said outlet members, and a transfer spout within said casing member adapted to be connected with the discharge spout of an elevator leg and having its discharge end positioned to coincide with a part of the opening into an outlet member.

3. A grain distributor, comprising two cylindrical casing members of the same diameter, means adjustably holdingthe two members with their surfaces coaxial and their adjacent edges suitably spaced apart, a multiplicity of outlet members removably held between said edges so as to form a complete circumferential series of said outlet members, and a transfer spout within said casing member adapted to be connected with the discharge spout of an elevator leg and having its discharge end positioned to coincide with a part of the opening into an outlet member, said transfer spout being mounted for rotation to cause its opening to coincide with the opening of any selected outlet member.

4. A grain distributor, comprising two cylindrical casing members of the same diameter, a set of supporting rods having connection with the two cylindrical members and bridging the space between their adjacent edges, means on the rods for changing the width of the space between said edges, and a multiplicity of outlet members removably held between said edges so as to form a complete circumferential series of said outlet members, said outlet members being formed with parts engageable with the respective edges so drawing the edges together to clamp all said outlet members in operative position.

5. A grain distributor, comprising two cylin drical casing members of the same diameter, means adjustably holding the two members with their surfaces coaxial and their adjacent edges suitably spaced apart, a multiplicity of outlet members removably held between said edges so as to form a complete circumferential series of said outlet members, and an open-topped transfer spout within said casing members adapted to be connected with the discharge spout of an elevator leg and having its discharge end positioned to coincide with a part of an opening into an outlet member.

6. A grain distributor, comprising two cylindrical casing members of the same diameter, means adjustably holding the two members with their surfaces coaxial and their adjacent edges suitably spaced apart, a multiplicity of outlet members removably held between said edges so as to form a complete circumferential series of said outlet members, a transfer spout within said casing members adapted to be connected with the discharge spout of an elevator leg and having its discharge end positioned to coincide with a part of the opening into an outlet member, and cover member secured to the edge of one of said casing members, said cover having an opening for discharge of air under pressure and dust carried thereby.

'7. A grain distributor, comprising two cy1in-'- drical casing members of the same diameter, means adiustably holding the two members with their surfaces coaxial and their adjacent edges suitably spaced apart, a multiplicity of outlet members removably held between said edges so as to form a complete circumferential series of said outlet members, a transfer spout within said casing members adapted to be connected with the discharge spout of an elevator leg and having its discharge end positioned to coincide with a part of the opening into an outlet member, and a conical hopper forming the bottom of the chamber formed by the casing members and having a central opening for receiving and discharging through said opening overflow grain backed up through any of said outlet members.

8. A grain distributor, comprising a casing member formed of two separable portions, means adjustably holding the two portions with their REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this .patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 647,749 Hall Apr. 17, 1900 1,187,324 Ibberson June 13, 1916 15 1,580,176 Stone Apr. 13, 1926 2,243,840 Delivuk June 3, 1941 

